Off the Shelf Sunday School--Ephesians

Exhortations for Christian Living (4:25-32)

Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. “In your anger do not sin:” Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. He who has been stealing must steal on longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need. Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

?1.????The devil is the author and father of all lies and deception. Christians are called to be a holy people who are characterized by honesty and integrity.?This is especially needed in our relationships with fellow Christians who are our relatives through the blood of Jesus.?(Jn 8:44; Col 3:9)??Why do you think Paul listed honesty first as an essential behavior??What are some reasons for telling lies??

3.???Do not let anger cause you to sin.?How does this happen??Is there any time that anger can be righteous??(Mark 3:5; Jn 2:14-16) Why is righteous anger hard for us??Anger is momentary insanity. Anyone can become angry, wrote Aristotle. 'But to be angry with the right person, to the right degree, at the right time, for the right purpose, and in the right way—this is not easy.”

4.???Do not let the sun go down while you are angry. What does this mean?

Why is it bad to remain angry??Anger is a form of emotional bondage. It consumes the thoughts of those who choose to foster it. It is self-centered thinking that leads to bitterness and damaged relationships.?It gives the devil a foothold from which further evil actions and thoughts originate.

??5.?????Repentance is the antidote for anger. This is the process of changing your thinking?about something or someone.

A.???It begins by looking beyond yourself to understand the reasons for what happened to make you angry.

B.???Avoid defending yourself through using “If, but or maybe.”

C.???Express regret for your part by apologizing to God and others.

D.???Accept the consequences of the damage done by your anger.

E.????Change your behavior. Beware of thinking patterns and habits that lead to anger.

F.????Allow time for the offended person to accept your offer of forgiveness. Do not expect others to immediately respond. They may have to deal with their own anger. Your positive actions will prove the sincerity of your words.

5.???Do not steal. Stealing comes from the selfish nature that Christians are to put to death. Paul says that everyone should work to support themselves and to have something to share with those in need. Charity is an expression of love.

6.???Speak helpful not hurtful words. Self-control that honors God requires that Christians speak words that instruct and encourage others. Words that injure or cause problems and spread rotten attitudes and actions among others must be avoided.

7.???Do not rebel against the leading of the Holy Spirit. Christians who rebel against?the Holy Spirit lose their joy and are miserable. God defines our relationship?through the Holy Spirit but our obedience and desire for God define the rate of spiritual growth.

8.???Paul says Christians are to reject bitterness, rage and anger which come from the sinful nature. (Gal 5:19-21) How can these be gotten rid of???We must begin by seeing the sin within and the stories we tell ourselves in our minds. Bad stories lead to bad actions.

9.???Being kind and compassionate shows love and a focus on the needs of others. It is easier to forgive others when we realize how much we have been forgiven by Jesus. This is part of the prayer that Jesus taught. (Lk 11:2-4)

What do you think about the saying “Forgive and forget?”?How does this compare with how God treats our sins??